Erin Murray M.A.

While today I am a firm believer in and advocate for the incredible benefits of therapy, I didn’t always have this mindset. I was raised in a household that emphasized the values of upholding the traditions and expectations of my culture and religion above all else, and as a result, I felt constant pressure to perform my role as the “perfect daughter.” This often meant sacrificing my own emotional needs or desires for the sake of pleasing others, especially my family and community, and over time, this manifested within me as intense anxiety and self-criticism.

For years, I struggled with an internal battle—feeling confused and frustrated by my emotional responses while desperately trying to push them down to feel in control. I found myself consumed by overwhelming negative thoughts, and the weight of my emotions began to take a serious toll on my overall well-being. It wasn’t until I started my own therapeutic journey—where I was finally able to unpack my past—that I began to understand the root causes of the emotional struggles that had followed me my entire life. Through therapy, I came to see how my early life experiences had shaped me as an adult, and I finally had the space to explore what I needed from myself and my relationships to heal these old emotional wounds.

Now, as a therapist, I strive to help my clients navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and healing. I understand how easy it is to avoid painful emotions, but I also know that avoidance often leads to deeper suffering and disconnection from ourselves and others. My approach is grounded in understanding the unique life experiences of each client and helping individuals identify the impacts of these specific experiences and relationships on their present-day lives. By fostering self-awareness with compassion and patience, I support clients in recognizing unmet needs, processing past traumas, breaking free from patterns of distress, and creating meaningful change. I believe that therapy is a space where we can challenge old narratives, build healthier relationships, and create a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

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In 2016, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in social and economic justice. Currently, I am pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Denver, where I have earned my master’s degree in clinical psychology. I have worked with a diverse population of clients and have experience working with anxiety, depression, complex trauma, pre-and-post pregnancy concerns, grief and loss, and LBGTQ+ concerns.